Archive for How to

Christmas time, time to share our love
Come and join the tidings to the world
Christmas time, the best time of the year
Yes, it’s Christmas time

A former boy group sang this song years ago. Indeed, there is something special about this time of year. The Christmas feeling is everywhere! At the latest you recognize it when you are on the packed streets and crowded shops to grab the most recent snip.

But why do you do this – all this stressful and hectic shopping marathon? Relax and swap this year’s presents from home! Go on BarterQuest and click yourself in five trouble-free steps to your Christmas gifts:

Antonio Palazzola’s Tips
1. Scan the trades. Keep an eye on [...] bartering sites for potential solid deals.
2. Always look over your shoulder. There are a lot of scammers out there. If something smells fishy, don’t go fishing.
3. Trading isn’t something you should just dive into. There are a lot of sharks out there that could take advantage of a novice. Start small either with lower cost items, or practice by trading with friends and using local papers.
4. You don’t have to be an appraiser, but you have to know your item. Your best strategy in a trade is your knowledge on the item. If you don’t know about it, don’t trade with it. If you know someone who appraises, bring them to your trade, if not, a smartphone works just as well. Just jump on eBay and you can get your answers. I use the site to check the prices that items are selling at. Retail and wholesale mean nothing in my world. I don’t deal with mall prices.
5. Always keep a good poker face. The less reaction you show in a trade, the more of a chance you have of gaining the upper hand and trading up.
6. Negotiating is learned through practice. Like anything else, the more you do it, the better you will be at it. Books like “The Art of Negotiation” help to get a good grasp on learning how to talk the talk.
7. Never bring cash to a trade.

Steve McHugh’s Tips
1. Decide if you are going to start a trade for a specific goal/item or just to see what you can accomplish. If you are just doing it to see what you can accomplish, than don’t put pressure on yourself and just have fun. You will be amazed at how far you can get.
2. The most popular and effective website is Craigslist. It just reaches more people than other sites. But you can use a search engine to find bartering websites for your location – a lot of these sites are great.
3. People always like to mention what their item sold for when it was brand new. Even if they got 50% off, they only mention what it was selling for at full retail price when it was new. You have to learn to address this issue quickly and effectively. If someone is willing to trade an item, they do not see a value in keeping it. You have to figure out that reason and justify the trade from there. Sometimes it is easy and sometimes not so easy.
4. If you want to take a trade string far, you can’t always worry about the exact value of an item. Trade value is way different than actual value. If I’m planning on making a trade string work, I like to start with items that people can’t shop a value for – unique items, rare items, or hard-to-get items. I want to trade to an item that I know could be hard to move because I can get it easier if the other trader has had a problem trading or selling the item. When I find the right person to trade it to and they can’t put an exact value on the item, it helps me make bigger value jumps and I can do less trades. But it is harder to do fast and takes patience.
5. When I post something for trade, I make sure to take good photos and be specific about details, but I leave out some information so that the person who is interested will call me. Then I can see where I can go with the trade.

Every one of us has dreams: Some are just ideas; several are so crazy that they will never come to be; and then there is that one special dream we think about over and over again until we turn it into a reality.

The founders of BarterQuest had a dream six years ago that became a reality. It wasn’t easy, but they believed in it and persevered. Now BarterQuest can help to turn your business idea into a reality through business to business (B2B) barter.

1. Services or Goods You Have to Offer
Make a list of services or goods you have to offer. These are your HAVES.

2. Use BarterQuest
Become a business member and join our business trading network . Get an impression what other businesses HAVE and WANT.

5. Join Club Communities -
You would like to find other businesses to trade locally, nationally or internationally? Join the New York, US, or World clubs to network with other businesses.

Each time you barter for what you need instead of buying, you can be (1) converting excess inventory (a cost) into things you use in your business (a benefit), increasing your profit margin, (2) conserving your cash (helping cash flow and management of personal finances), and (3) networking for new clients. Bring your dreams one step closer by being smart and bartering!

Originally at http://www.negotiatingtechniques.org/14/7-tips-for-bartering-products-and-services/

Make It Fair Be sure you are both trading a fair value including shipping. It may be neccessary to trade more than one product/service or issue a gift certificate for the remaining amount. Communicate Keep in good contact with the person you are bartering with, both durring and after the trade. Visiting message boards/groups making announcements in appropriate catagories is one way. Many sites also have a special section just for bartering. They need to be managed to determine a common goal, establish objectives and set a course to obtain the desired results. Negotiators and parents can adopt mediation techniques to improve their skills at handling conflict. A mediator delegates responsibilities not only to get the job done but also to give everyone a vested interest in the outcome. By directing and delegating, the mediator effectively makes both parties more equal and more likely to be able to come to an agreement. In the right situation, using inclusion to integrate everyone’s needs into the solution can yield very positive results. Mediators are masters of group manipulation.

They must get warring parties to set aside their differences and reach an accord. Most people are used to being told what is right to do. A mediator is unable to make the decision for the group. He does not function as a judge or jury. He must enable each of the parties to make their own settlement decisions.

Getting people to do things they would not ordinarily want to do can involve, among other things, manipulation. But this is typically a subset of the use of effective leadership and management skills. While manipulation has a bad connotation of trickery or deceit, it can be simply good negotiating. When managing the negotiating process you are seeking to maneuver the other person into agreeing to your terms. If a little manipulation will get them to consider your arguments is required, then it is well suited to the purpose. Being able to lead others, convincing them to hear what is being said, and to consider options is a mark of a good leader. Tricking others into doing your will is not.

Use of trickery will likely lead to agreements that fall apart after the test of time. In any dispute those involved make up a small group and are subject to traditional group dynamics. Filling this role is what makes mediators effective at resolving disputes.

We all know that a good picture will most likely increase your chances of successful trading. People want to see a clear and detailed shot of the product. By doing this, you will attract other users and will become a pro at bartering!
Here are some easy steps on how to make your Haves and Wants stand out!1. Use natural light
Natural light makes good photos, it’s as simple as that. Take pictures during daytime and avoid using a flash, as it will create unwanted shadows. Natural light will display your item with a good color balance and will attract more BarterQuest users.

2. Shoot from different angles
Get down on one knee, tilt your camera slightly to the right, and shoot. Those are simple angle adjustments that will truly make your items stand out. Using different angles will add depth to your photos, will show all sides of your item, and will enhance your item’s features.3. Get in close
Taking close ups of your Goods on BarterQuest is important. To take a nice close up shot, you need to use the Macro button (the flower icon) on your camera. This setting will create a small depth of field, bringing your items in the foreground into sharp focus, and minimizing any distracting elements in the background.

4. Choose a plain background
Using a white seamless neutral background is the best way to highlight your item’s features. The item must be the first thing that people see when looking at your pictures, there should not be any background clutters. Remember that you are trying to barter for your items. If you do not have a white background, you can always use a poster board, a bed sheet, a light colored wall or even pattern wallpapers.

5. Take multiple shots
You are a beginner at taking attractive pictures, not a problem; just take as many shots of the item as you can. Some of them will turn out to be just great! Members of the BarterQuest community love looking at different pictures before choosing which item they want to barter for. Take a variety of shots using different angles. Posting multiple pictures of your item shows that you are trustworthy and that you have nothing to hide!

You are now a professional at taking beautiful pictures of your listings! Remember that fantastic pictures will increase your chances of finding a trading partner! The more pictures, the better. Now go use your camera and take a picture worth a thousand swaps!

People who do house swapping, and some call it home exchanges, very often discover that it can take them to unexpected places and surprises. You have a new way to meet people and see new places as a local rather than a tourist. You can just throw out all the hotels, too, unless you love paying for them and living in them. We’re going to share some excellent house swapping tips to ensure success with this unique venture.

The most effortless technique for becoming a part of home exchanges is to join a club for house swapping. There are many different organizations that you can seek online, which allow you access to a worldwide membership of individuals who are excited about this type of travel. An annual fee is necessary, however this is generally quite affordable, especially when you think of all the money you’ll be saving by vacationing in this method. You might want to join multiple home exchange organizations to get to know more people and have a better shot of meeting someone to make an agreement with. When you join these agencies, be sure to post a complete profile, including a picture, so people will know who you are. Check the website often for new listings and it won’t take long for you to have complete access to the world of home exchange.

Do you have any ideas at this stage? You may already have guessed that home exchange services is a large field with much to discover. We have found other folks think these points are valuable in their search. Continue reading and you will see what we mean about important nuances you need to know about. So what we suggest is to really try to discover what you need, and that will usually be determined by your circumstances. You have a solid base of a few important points, and we will make that much stronger for you as follows.

Worries about the other party are usually seen in people new to this process, but yes sometimes you may wonder about the integrity of the people living in your home. As far as we can tell, and know, those who are in agencies are honest people and understand that they need to be respectful with other people’s homes. Still, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask for references before letting someone stay in your home. If you own the home, you may want to contact your insurance company to ask if such an arrangement will put you at any risk. Of course if you rent, then it’s really a good idea to let the landlord know what is going on with the house swap. Likewise, don’t be offended if they ask for references or ask you to sign a contract.

You will have more success when your home exchange listing, with the agency, creates the desire to find out more and be open to staying in your home and area. There are two points involved, obviously your house but also the location where you live. Include photos, not only of yourself but of your home and neighborhood. Create a compelling ad by the use of videos of your house, your local area, and include yourself as well. Don’t be afraid to act like a travel agent or chamber of commerce representative for your area. You know what is appealing where you live, and there is someone out there who will agree with you. Talk about the benefits of visiting your area, and then show them why they’ll love it.

There really are a lot of benefits to experiencing the home exchange for travel and fun. You’d be surprised at the numbers of people who do this and enjoy doing it. There are so many positive reasons to try this, and they key is working with a good agency. We urge you to be open about this because it’s such a cool way to travel, so at least look into it.

Originally at: http://www.barterforcash.com/how-to-offer-barter-services.html

Another interesting aspect of trade aside from common exchange of products would be barter services. The method involves trading specialties between parties. On most occasions, the exchange is bilateral and direct between the parties involved. You need to have full knowledge regarding the details of this type of barter since the goods cannot be fully quantified.
Intro to Barter Services
Barter services are the offering of services and specialties by one barterer in return for another type of service or specialty that they need. The trade is done through physical or online meetings wherein the parties involved will define the type of service they are offering including all other details such as duration of service, coverage and limitations, overhead expenses, etc. This is an effective approach for individuals who cannot fully afford with cash. It is also a common practice used by individuals who are still beginning to improve in their craft.
Examples of professional services that are offered are home repair or construction, plumbing, accounting, health care, electrical work, mechanical work and engineering. There are also personal services exchanged which may be valued less such as pet grooming, babysitting, running errands and art making. The good thing about bartering services is that any individual from any walk of life can offer their talents and skills including students. Other inclusions available include article or thesis writing, poster making and web site designing.

It may be easier for you to find on the internet services you need to be bartered. There are web sites that particularly cater to bartering services. These will serve as your common meeting ground where you search for options and begin negotiating. Reliable web sites usually have a profile and complete list of all registered users so that you can immediately contact and offer to trade via private messaging, telephone or e-mail. Effective systems will provide you with exchange matches to make searches easier as well as monitor the transaction to ensure that all goes smoothly and satisfaction is guaranteed.
Things to Remember When Bartering Services
Define the service you are providing as well as the service you are looking for. Include the main service you need, how long you need it for, date and venue of services, specifications or things to be emphasized by the service, how many people are intended to provide the services for you and how expenses on the project are going to be paid for. You should also inform your fellow barterer all these details regarding the service you offer when discussing the exchange.
When looking for potential trades, try looking for local barterers who will be easier for you to locate and meet to further discuss details. If you find a remote source, it is recommended to look for a third party or inform a web site moderator regarding the trade once you finalize everything. Confirm the trader’s profile and save a copy of your emails or messages.
It will help to ask other members online who have already done barter services with the person you are transacting with. Check references or ask for some if there are none shown. You can finalize the details in paper once everything is settled. Write a barter service contract to avoid any complications and conflicts in the future. Have it signed by all parties then send a copy to the web site moderator.

For those who want to travel, yet perhaps also want something new and different – then it’s worth it to try house swapping, or the home exchange arrangement. Of course you can travel and house swap just about anywhere, so you use resources to find these interested people and just do it. You’ll be able to save quite a bit depending on the hotels you like to stay in, and it’s just much more relaxing in a house. This article covers a couple of effective approaches you should use in your next home exchange – or your first.

A home exchange with a person, or family, that leads the same style or standard of living as you is often preferred by people who do this. Think about singles and families, and you’ll realize that there could be major differences as well as preferences and habits.

On the other hand, think about the situation in which two families house exchange, and each family has children, so what each will find are things like toys and other useful items for the care of children. Another good point is that most people tend to feel more at ease in similar surroundings, and that relates to similar lifestyle, etc. It’s just that two people from two entirely dissimilar backgrounds, and homes will usually not feel 100% happy in the other person’s home. But of course there are people who live in the city yet often like to get away to the country, and vice versa. The thing about it is you can speak with people you’re considering doing a house exchange with.

If you desire to strategize for a home swapping compromise, it’s optimal to make arrangements as far ahead of time as you are able to. This is totally different than reserving a hotel room, where you have the option of calling a week or only a day ahead of time to book a room. If you want to stay at someone’s house, you should plan on making the arrangements at least six months ahead of time. You might also need to be a bit adaptable when it comes to your excursion dates and precise destination. For example, you may be able to find a situation in a particular country, but not necessarily in a specific town for the time you’re looking for. The more flexibility you have with your dates and places to visit, the better your chances of making a successful connection.

While a lot of individuals use house swaps as a method for having pleasant and affordable getaway, it can also be used as a form of exploration for an unfamiliar locale that you might be considering relocating to. A home exchange can be much better for scouting an new area than staying at hotels or bed and breakfasts. When you stay in another person’s home, you can get an actual idea of how it feels to live there, as opposed to being a tourist and booking a room in a hotel or at a resort. You will be staying in a neighborhood and the person whose home you are staying in can share some worthy information with you, pertaining to the neighborhood. If you really love the area, you can even do some house hunting while you are visiting. House swapping is a great way to visit a place and see it the way the local people do.

You can meet wonderful people and make new friends once you decide to sign-up with a house exchange agency. There is really no reason why everything shouldn’t proceed well, and remember clear communications is critical. The house swap guidelines we’ve been discussing are designed to help you relax and enjoy this fascinating travel experience.